Mechanism for seaming ends to can-bodies



J. A. GRAY.

MECHANISM FOR SEAMING ENDS T0 CAN BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.18.I9I5.

' Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEEI' 1.

' INVENTOR. f m/ 41w;

TTORNEYL WITNESS I myzm/w g;

Y J. A. GRAY. MECHANISM FOR SEAMING ENDS T0 CAN BODIES.

APPLICATION TILED 0CT.'l8,19l5.

-4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

433 g; 45 mam rv I} I INVENTOR. WITNESS. 1

Q/LWCTWZ. I

' A TTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 13,1920.

J. A. GRAY.

MECHANISM FOR SEAMING ENDS T0 CAN BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 18, 1915- v Patented Jan. 15, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESS E TTORNEY.

J. A. GRAY.

MECHANlSM C R SEAMING ENDS T0 CAN BODIES.

APPLICASVYN FILED OCT. 18. 1915.

1 32?,99%o iaicnted Jan. 18, 1920 4 SHEETS--SHEET 4.

WITNESS I UNITED STATESPATEN'T oFFiojE. y

"JAMES A. GRAY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO, AMERICAN OAN COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MECHANISM FOR SEAMING ENDSTO CAN-BODIES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Paten td J an, 13, 1920.

Application filed October 18, 1915. Serial No. 56,456.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. GRAY, a

' citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Seaming Ends to Can-Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a machine for seaming an end or cover onto a'can. It is customary in the canning art to seal the cans used for the preservation of food products or other material, by turning over the adjacent edges of the metal of the can and end to form a locked joint, the stiffness of the metal in the seam so formed being relied upon to hold the parts in close contact. The usual method of forming such a seam is by a spinning process, the flanges of the can and the end being pressed against a suitable formed roller, which clenches or spins over said flanges'into a locked seam. Obviously, means must be provided for either rotating the can or revolving the seaming roll thereabout, and for bringing said seaming roll into contact with the flange of the can.

The object of the presentinvention is to provide a machine in which the seaming rolls are moved into and out of engagement with the can flange with the least possible loss of power and time, and in which the number of moving parts 'is reduced to a minimum.

In order to comprehend the invention, reference should-be had to the accon'ipanying sheets of drawings, in. which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the double seaming machine.

-Fig. 2 is a part-sectional elevation on a plane represented by the line 8-8 in Fig. 1 of the drawings, viewed in the direction of the arrows, showing the seaming rolls in their inoperative positions.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan taken in the direction of the arrows on the line 2-2 of Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Fig. 4 is a part sectional elevation taken of the drawings.

. Fig. 5 is apartsectional plan taken in the direction of thearrows on the line 00-.20 of Fig.2 of the drawings. y

Fig. 6 is a sectionalplan taken in the direction of the arrows .on'the line y y' of Fig. 2 of the drawings. r I

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan taken in the direction of the arrows on the line IO- 100f Fig. 4 of the drawings, showing the seaming 5, journaled in cross members: 2 of the frame 2, 1s provlded with means, as, for ex- A horizontal drive shaft ample, a pulley 6, for receiving power from anoutside source, not shown in the.drawings.

Journaled in the frame 2, beneath and parallel to the drive shaft g5,:is a second shaft 7, adapted to be continuously rotated at a speed considerably slower than that of said drive shaft 5, as, for example, by means of co-actlng spur gears 8 and 9, Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. A vertical shaft 13,

journaled in the frame 2 at the rear of the machine, is driven by the horizontal shaft 7 by any sultable means, shown 1n Fig. 2 of the drawings, as bevel gears 11 and 12; The forward end of the drive shaft car-' ries a spiral gear 14, which meshes with spiral gears 17 and 18 on the spaced parallel verticalchuck shafts 15 and 16 respectively, Fig. 1 of the drawings, said chuck shafts .15

and 16 being journaled in brackets 10 and 4,

and continuously rotated at relatively high speed by said spiral gears. Removably attached to the lower ends of the vertical chuck shafts 15 and 16 respectively are the chucks 19 and 21, Figs. 1, 4 and 7 of the drawings. a V

Parallel to the chuck shaft 15 and on either side thereof are vertical seaming roll spindles 24, Figs. 1, 2,4, and 5 of. the drawings, rotated from the slow speed shaft 7 by means of spiral gears 26 on said spindles 24 which mesh with spiral gears 23 ,on said shaft 7. The spindles 24 are journaled in brackets 28 which are pivoted for horizontal A adjustment upon vertical pins 29, said pins being supported by the forwardly extending frame bracket 4, in line with the centers of the spiral gears 23 on. the shaft 7. These pivoted brackets 28 are held in position by an adjustable connecting rod 31, Figs. 4, 5

' and 6 of the drawings, providedwith a turnbuckle 32 for adjusting its length, and secured against longitudinal movement by spaced lugs 33, extending from the bracket 4, and between which said turn-buckle 32 is held.

By means of this adjust-able rod 31, the

pivoted brackets 28 carrying the seaming roll spindles 24 may be mutually separated or brought together, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

Seaming rolls 35, 4 and 7 of the chuck shaft16 are two corresponding seam-' ing roll spindles25, driven by spiral gears 27 from the spiral gears 23 on the slowspeed shaft 7, and journaled in brackets 30 pivoted upon the pins 29, Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. Said brackets 30 are held in the proper relation to the chuck 21 by an adjustable rod 31 having a turn-buckle 32 held between lugs 33, in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the brackets 28. The spindles 25 carry at their lower ends freely rotatable seaming rolls 36, journaled upon pins 25 eccentric I tothe axes of the spindles, Figs. 1, 6 and 7 of the drawings, and adapted to perform the second and final seaming operation.

The chucks 19 and 21 are formed, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and-7 of the drawings,

. with peripheral grooves 34 and 34 respectively, and the seaming rolls 35 and :36 are formed with peripheral flanges 37 and 37 respectively, said flanges 37 and 37 being adapted to engage the grooves 34 and 34 respectively of the chucks 19 and 21, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7 ofthe drawings, to

provide supports for the seaming rolls during the seaming operation, and to relieve the endthrust on the bearings of said rolls.

Centrally located in each of the chucks 19 and 21 is a knock-out head 38, Figs. 4

and 7 of the drawings, slidabl mounted upon a fixed pin 39, and norma ly pressed outwardly slightly beyond the face ,of the chuck by a spring 41, the function of said knock-outor ejector head being to remove the can from the chuck after the seaming operation has been performed.

-A can lift plunger 42, Fig. 4 of the drawings, is rotatably mounted upon a vertically slidable Shaft 43 below and in vertical alinement with the chuck 19. A central pin 4-4 retains said plunger 42 on its shaft 43. Two spaced collars 45 on said plunger shaft 43 are adapted to be engaged by the forked end 48 of a lever 46, fulcrumed upon the frame 2 at 47, Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, 'the other end of which carries a cam following roller 49, Fig. 3 of the drawings, adapted to be engaged by the, groove 50 of a double face cam 51 mounted upon the vertical shaft 13, igs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

The plunger 42 normally rests within a recess 42 in the table 3, so that its upper surface is flush with the surface of said table '3, but by means of the cam 51 and the lever 46, said plunger is. raised at a certain period in the cycle of operation of the machine, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. A similar can lift plunger 42, Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, is rotatably carried by a slidable shaft 43 beneath and in ver-- tical alinement with the chuck 2'1, and is lifted simultaneously with the plunger 42 by the engagement with a pair of spaced flanges 45 on the sliding shaft 43 of the .forked end 48 of an extension 46 of the lever 46, Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Horizontal extensions 52 and 53, Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings,'are attached to the frame 2 on either side of the table 3, and journaled in said extensions and in brackets -56 extending from the frame 2 are vertical shafts 54 and 55, Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, mounted respectively upon the upper ends of which, abovethe surface of said extensions 52and 53, are an idler sprocket 57 and a driving sprocket 58.. A horizontally disposed conveyer chain 59, carrying spaced can-engaging fingers 60, is carried ,by said sprockets 57 and 58. Step rotation is imparted to the shaft 55 carrying the sprocket 58 by 'co-acting mutilated worm gears 64 and 65, Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the worm gear 65 being mounted upon a transverse shaft 66 j ournaled 1n the frame bevel gear 67 which meshes with ace-acting bevel gear 68 on the vertical cam shaft 13, Figs. '2 and 3 of the drawings.

Suitably disposed guide rails 62, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 ofthe drawings, are supported by brackets 63 above the table 3, to guide the cans 61 in their proper path through the machine.

The operation of the machine may be described as follows :-A can 61, Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, to which has previously been loosely applied an end or cover 69, is fed into the machine, by suitable means not indicated in the drawingaon the extension 52 of the table 3. engaged by one of the fingers 60 extending from the conveyer chain 59, and is intermitv2, and continuously rotated by means of a 1 Said can 61 is I tently moved thereby along said table 3 .be-

tween the guide rails 62, until it rests upon the can lift plunger .42.-

The rotation of the cam 51 then lifts said the other held by the chuck 21 receiving the unseamed can, is carried onto the first lift plunger 42, a partially seamed cank is transplunger 42, with the superposed can 61, by fer-red from said plunger 42 to the second 70.

means of the lever 46, until the end 69 of lift plunger 42, and a finished can is resaid can comes into contact with and is en moved from said plunger 42?. gaged by the rapidly rotating chuck 19 The degree of'pressure exerted upon the I (Fig. 4), whereby said can and the plunger flange of the can. end 69'by the seaming-rolls 10 42, upon which it rests, are rotated. At this maybe adjusted as; desired by means of the 75 moment the initial seaming rolls 35, mountturn-buckle connecting rods 31 and 31', ed eccentrically upon their spindles .24, are. which maintain the desired distance between brought into frictional contact with the the seaming spindle brackets 28 and '30 as J flange of the can end 69 and by, the continuhereinbefore described. I ous slow rotation of said spindles 24 and By reason of the adjustment providedfor 80 the rapid rotation of the chuck 19 and the the spindles 24 and respectively, through held can 61 with the flange ofits end 69 in the medium of the turn-buckles '32 and 32', contact with said seaming rolls 35, the first the seaming rolls 35' and 36 carried by the seaming operation is performed. During spindles 24 and respectively may be ad- 3 20 this operation the flanges; 37 on saidrolls J justed toward andfrom each other in order 85 engage with the peripheral groove 34 in the to position the same to form a tight seam and chuck 19, thereby furnishing a support for for varying size can bodies. w .said rolls to partly relieve'the end thrust I am awarethat the principles of my'in-" thereon caused by the contact with the flange ven'tion may be embodied in machinesdiifer- =1 .-1 7 2-5 of the can end 69, as is shown in Figs. 4 and ing f in form and constructionfrom that .90 7 of the drawings. 1 herein described, and I therefore do n twiSh The continued rotation of the spindles 24- to limit myself in this regard, but I oni'the carries the seaming rolls 35 out of-contact contrary wish to be understood as claiming with the flange of the can end 69', and at the the invention as broadly as the state of the, 30 same'time the plunger 42 is lowered byits art at this time will permit. w 1; v95

' actuating cam. The spring-pressed knock- Having thus' descri'bed my invention, what out head or ejector 38 removes the can from I claim as new and desire to protect byLeta the chuck 19, and forces itto follow the ters Patent is: a

' plunger 42 downward toward the level of A ppa fl s i' P i i-I as the table 3. The con'veyer chain-59 is now 'pqse the S comprising? l n d ic lly i001 moved through another step, bythe means disposed members for receiving and clampdescribed, tocarry the can 61 with its partly ing therebetween' acanj body with an end seamed end 69 onto the second lift plunger cover loosely applied thereto,- means "for 42, Fig. l of the drawings. Said plunger .lmpa in t io xOf Saidmembers, 1 42, actuated by the cam 51, thereupon lifts devices i0! n e i e ly mo ing the op- 105 said can 61-until the partly seamed periphpo slng member toward and from the ro- .eral flange of its end 69' is engaged by the tary member, a plurality of' continuously rotating chuck 21, when the second seaming rotatable seaming I 11 po e spindles; rolls 36 are moved inward into frictional tatable seaming rollseccentrically mounted contact with the flange of saidend 69 by the ther'eon with respect to the'axis' of thesamev 11o continuous slow rotation of their spindles 25, and, associated with the rotary members,

and the final seaming operation is performed said spindles being adapted for moving said in a manner identical with that of the ini- .rollsinto and out of engagement :with the tial seaming operation above described, after flange of a can end cover 'ofa can while which the can 61 is lowered by its plunger held clamped between the mentioned vertie 115 42 and carried off saidplunger and out of cally alined members,'fand devicles for ad the sphere of the machine by the step move- 1usting the position of said rolls. relative .mento'f the conveyer chain 59. v to eachother to adapt the same for the Inasmuch as the two canlift plungers 42 seaming of end'covers to can bodiesof va'ry '55 and 42 are raised and lowered simultane- ,ing-diameter. V 1 120 ously by the two forked arms 48 and 48" of 2- In n apparatus th described P 9 the cam-actuatedlever 46, and the two pairs pose, the combination with a" rotary can of seaming rolls 35. and 36 are simultanechuck, ofa' vertically movable plunger for ously moved inwardly toward their respec-"' moving a can body with an end cover there- I tive chucks 19 and 21 by the timed rotation on into and outv of clamped engagement-.125

of their -respective spindles 24 and 25,- it is with said chuck, means for conveying" can obvious that two cans are acted on atthe bodiesont'o said plunger andremoving-the' same time, the one held by the chuck 19 re- 'same'therefrom, a pluralityjof continuously ceiving the initial seaming operation and rotatable seaming roll power spindles, ro-

tatable seaming rolls ec'centrically mounted 1'30 on said spindles with respect to the axes of 3. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a plurality of spaced rotary can chucks. of a vertically mo able plunger associated with each chuck for moving can bodies with an end cover loosely applied thereto into and out of clamped engagement with the can chucks, an intermittently traveling conveyer for moving can bodies onto and off of the said plungers, a pair of spaced rotary and movable power spindles adjacent said plunger-s. a )air of rotatable seaming rolls eccentri- '-a y mounted on said spindles with respect to the axes of the same and associated with each of the can chucks, said spindles being adapted for moving the said rolls into and out of engagement with the flange of a" can end cover of a can body while held clamped to the can chuck, and adjustable devices for varying the position of the rolls relative to each other for adapting the same. for operation on can bodies of varying diameter. 4. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a circumferentially grooved rotatable can chuck, of a member co-acting therewith for the clamping thereto of a can body with an unseameid end cover thereon, a pair of continuously rotatable seaming rollpower spindles adjacent said can chuck, circumterentially flanged seaming rolls eccentrically mounted on said spindles with respect to the axes of the same and associated with said can chuck, said spindles being adapted for axially moving the seaming rolls toward and from the can chuck, and adjustable devices for varying the position of the seaming rolls relative to each other to adapt the same for a seaming operation on can bodies of varying diameter. 7

In a can seaming machine, the combi nation of four seaming rolls mounted on vertical axes and spaced apart in pairs, a can-rotating device arranged between the rolls ofweach pair, means for moving the axes of said rolls horizontally and continuously with a relatively slow motion, means for rotating said can-rotating devices with a relatively fast motion, means for preliminarily adjusting said rolls horizontally, and a can carrier having an intermittent motion to deliver can bodies and ends successively between the rolls of one pair and then between the rolls of the other pair, to be seamed by said rolls.

(S, In a can seaming machine, the combination of four seaming rolls mounted on vertical axes and spaced apart in pairs, a

can-rotating device arranged between therolls of each pair. means for moving the axes of said rolls horizontally with a relatively slow motion, means for rotating said can-rotatingdevices .with a relatively fast motion. and a canc'arrier having an inter mittent motion to deliver can bodies and ends successively between the rolls of one pair and then between the rolls of the other pair to be seamed by said'rolls.

T. In a can seaming machine. the combination of four seaming rolls mounted on vertical axes and spaced apart in pairs,

four vertical and continuously rotatable" one pair and then between the rolls-of the other pair to be seamed by said rolls.

8. In a can seaming machine, the combination of tour seaming rolls mounted on vertical axes and spaced apart in pairs, four vertical and continuously rotatable spindles having mounted thereon respectively and cccentrically the said axes of'the rolls, a-

can-rotating device arranged between the rolls of each pair, means for rotating said spindles continuously with a relatively slow Jl'lOlZlOIl, means for rotating said can-rotating devices with a relatively fast motion, a. can-supporting table extending between said pairs of spindles, and a horizontal intermittent carrier for propelling can bodies and ends along said table to said can-rotating means and between said pairs of rolls successively and for removing them therefrom.

9. In a can seaming machine, in combination, upper and lower horizontal rotary shafts, gearing connecting said shafts for maintaining one shaft at a faster rotation and the other shaft at a slower rotation.

can-rotating means at each side of said shafts and operatlvely connected with the ing cans to said can-rotating means-successivelyi .10. In a can seaming machine, the combination of four seannng rolls mounted on vertical axes andspaced apart in pairs, fourvertical and continuously rotatable spindles having mounted thereon respectively and .eccentrically the said axes of the rolls, a canrotating device arranged between the rolls of each pair, means for rotating said spindles, continuously with a relatively slow motion, means for rotating said can-rotatmg devices with a relatively fast motlon,"

I movablebearingsfor the spindles adjustahaving an intermittent motion to deliver can bly connected in pairs-for the adjustment of the spindles and rolls, and a can carrier bodies and ends successively between the 7 rolls of one pair and then between the rolls 20.

' shafts, gearing connecting said shafts for maintaining one shaft at a faster rotation and the other shaft at a slower rotat1on, cangrotating means ateach' side of 'said shafts and operatively connected with 'the faster shaft, continuously rotatable spindles arranged in pairs the spindles of eachpair at the sides of said can-rotating means and rotatively connectedwith the slower shaft,

' and seaming rolls mounted on said spindles respectively on axes which are eccentric to the spindles.

12. Inan apparatus for double seaming ends to can bodies, in combination, a pair of Vertical and continuously rotatableseanr ing spindles, double seaming rolls carried on saidspindles and having axes which are eccentric. to the axes of' said spindles, canrotating chucks arranged above and below a can receiving space which is between said spindles, mechanism for rotating said spindies and chucks whereby each roll may be moved in a, small circular path into and out of contact with a rotating can and end, and a horizontal intermittent carrier for placing the cans and ends between said chucks and removing them therefrom.

13. In an apparatus for double seaming ends to can bodies, in combination, a pair of vertical rotatable double seaming rolls, can-rotating chucks arranged above and below a can-receiving space which is betweensaid rolls, mechanism for rotating said chucks, means for carrying the axes of said rolls continuously, in -a small circular path,

into and out of contactwith a rotating can and end, and a horizontal intermittent carri er for placing the cans and ends between said chucks and removing them therefrom.

14:. In an apparatus for double seaming ends to can bodies, in combination, a' pair 7 of rotatable double seaming rolls, can-rotating chucks arranged intermediatelyiof said rolls, mechanism for rotating said chucks, means for carrying the axes of said rolls cont nuously in a small circular path into and out of contact with a rotating can.

and end, and an intermittent carrier for placing the cans and ends between said chucks and removing them therefrom.

15. An'appa'ratus for double seaming ends to can bodies, having in combination rotary devices for recelving and clampmgtherebea tween a can body with an end loosely appliedthereto, a continuously rotatable spindle substantially parallel with theaxis of said rotary clamping devices, mechanism for im clamping devices and to the-can bodyand parting a relatively" rapid rotation to said a relatively slow and continuous rotation to said. spindle, and a" double seaming roll the periphery of which continuously su'rrounds the axis of said spindle and which is rotatably mounted thereon on an nxispar allel with the axis of. the spindle and eccentriethereto. Y i

16. An apparatus for double s'eam-ingends to can bodies, having in combination rotary devices-for receiving and clamping therebetween a can body with anend loosely applied thereto, a'continuously rotatable spindle substantially parallel with the axis of said rotary clampin devices, mechanism for imparting a relative y rapid rotation to said clamping devices and to the can'body and a relatively slow and continuous rotation to said spindle, and a rota'table' double seaming element mounted on said spindle on an axis eccentric to the axis of said spindle and having a continuous seaming surface a part of which seaming surface is constantly maintained between the axis of the rotary clamping devices and the aXis of said spindle.

17. In an apparatus for double seaming ends to can bodies, in combination, aplurality of pairs of vertical and continuously rotatable seaming spindles, double seaming rolls carried on said spindles respectively and having axes which are eccentricto the" axes of said spindles, a can-rotatlng means arranged between each pair of said splndles, A

mechanism for rotating said spindles wh'ere-' by said rolls may be moved intermittently into and out of contact With a rotating can end,'a can-supporting 'table extending between said pairs of spindles, and a horizontal intermittent carrier for propelling can bodies and ends along saidtable to said canrotating means and between said pairs of rolls successively and for removing them therefrom.

'18. In an apparatus for double seaming ends to can bodies, in combination, a plurality of pairs of vertical and continuously rotatable seaming spindles, double seaming rolls carried on said spindles'respectively and having axes which are eccentric to the axes of said spindles, a can-rotating means arranged between each pair of said spindles, mechanism for rotating said spindles whereby said rolls may be moved intermittently into and out of contact with a rotating can 'end, and a horizontal intermittent carrier 7 for delivering can bodies and ends to said can-rotating means and between said pairsof rolls successively and for removing them therefrom.

19. In an apparatus for seaming ends to can bodies, in "combination, a plurality of pairs of seaming rolls, a can-rotating means for each pair of rolls and arranged between the same, means for intermittently moving said seaming rolls toward each other to operate on the can when the same is being rotated, means for preliminarily adjusting the rolls of each pair toward or from each,

other, and an intermittently movable can conveyer adapted to carry the cans successively between the rolls of each pair and from one pair of rolls to the other pair of rolls, the intermission in the movement of the carrier occurring when the cans are being operated on by said rolls.

20. In an apparatus for seaming ends to can bodies, in combination, a plurality of pairs of seamin rolls, a can-rotating means for each pair 0 rolls and arranged between .the same, means for intermittently moving said seaming rolls toward each other to operate on the can when the same is being rotated, comprising a continuously rotating spindle for each roll on which the roll is rotatably and eccentrically mounted, and an intermittently movable can conveyer adapted to carry the cans successively between the rolls of each pair and from one pair of rolls to the other pair of rolls.

21. In an apparatus for seaming ends to can bodies, in combination,,a plurality of pairs of seamingrolls, a can-rotating means for each pair of rolls and arranged between the same, means for intermittently moving said seaming-rolls in a small circular path to operate on the can when the same is be- 7 ing rotated, and an intermittently movable can conveyer adaptedto carry the cans'successively between the rolls of each pair and from one pair of rolls to the other pair of rolls, the intermission in the movement of the carrier occurring when the cans are being operated on by said rolls; v a

22. In an apparatus for double seaming ends to can bodies, in combination, a plurality of pairs of seaming rolls the first operati ing pair being shaped to curl the can end flange and a later operating pair being dif-,

ferently shaped to finish the double seam, a

can-rotating means'for each pairof rolls and arranged-betweenthe same, means for intermittently moving'sald seaming rolls toward each other to operate on the can when the same is being rotated, and an intermit tently movable can conveyer adapted to I 

